Exploring the impact of software requirements on system-wide goals: a method using satisfaction arguments and i* goal modelling

This paper describes the application of requirements engineering concepts to support the analysis of the impact of new software systems on system-wide goals. Requirements on a new or revised software component of a socio-technical system not only have implications on the goals of the subsystem itself, but they also impact upon the goals of the existing integrated system. In industries such as air traffic management and healthcare, impacts need to be identified and demonstrated in order to assess concerns such as risk, safety, and accuracy. A method called PiLGRIM was developed which integrates means-end relationships within goal modelling with knowledge associated with the application domain. The relationship between domain knowledge and requirements, as described in a satisfaction argument, adds traceability rationale to help determine the impacts of new requirements across a network of heterogeneous actors. We report procedures that human analysts follow to use the concepts of satisfaction arguments in a software tool for i* goal modelling. Results were demonstrated using models and arguments developed in two case studies, each featuring a distinct socio-technical system??a new controlled airspace infringement detection tool for NATS (the UK??s air navigation service provider), and a new version of the UK??s HIV/AIDS patient reporting system. Results provided evidence towards our claims that the conceptual integration of i* and satisfaction arguments is usable and useful to human analysts, and that the PiLGRIM impact analysis procedures and tool support are effective and scalable to model and analyse large and complex socio-technical systems.     

Brittle matrices reinforced with polyalkene films of varying elastic moduli

The inclusion of polyalkene films of different moduli in a cement-based matrix has shown the benefits to be gained, in terms of increased stress at a given strain, from the use of films of high elastic modulus. Further, the concept of load-bearing cracks is used to explain the transition region between the limit of proportionality and the bend-over point on the tensile stress-strain curve, which is found to exist with high film modulus composites. This transition region could be an important factor affecting the choice of film to be used in a commercial composite.Nomenclature E _c uncracked composite modulus - E _m matrix modulus - E _f film modulus - V _m matrix volume-fraction - V _t film volume-fraction - V _f(crit) (E _{c mu})/ _fu - A _c cross-sectional area of composite - (E _m V _m/E _fV_f) - _m matrix strain - _mu matrix cracking strain - _mu average matrix cracking strain, (#x03C3;_co)/E _c - _mc strain at end of multiple cracking - _fu ultimate fibre stress - _cu ultimate composite stress - _co average composite cracking stress (assumed at a strain of _mc/2) - S4 81 draw ratio polypropylene film - S8 181 draw ratio polypropylene film - E3H polyethylene film - LOP limit of proportionality (stress at first crack, assumed to be a departure from linearity of the tensile stress-strain curve of a perfectly straight and uniform test specimen. However, this point cannot be reliably determined from the stress-strain curve because of the clamping strains induced in warped specimens) - BOP bend-over point (stress at which the approximately horizontal portion of multiple cracking region commences. The BOP is generally higher than the LOP and is a much more reliable point to determine experimentally than the LOP)     

Relative importance of growth hormone and sex steroids for the growth at puberty of trunk length, limb length, and muscle width in growth hormone-deficient children

We have followed the growth of stature, sitting height, skinfolds, muscle widths measured radiologically, and skeletal maturity in growth hormone-deficient patients in whom hGH was given and withheld in alternating three-month periods throughout puberty (referred to as "off-hGH" and "on-hGH" periods). Six boys and four girls had true isolated GH deficiency and developed puberty spontaneously. Two boys had gonadotrophin deficiency plus GH deficiency, and five boys had multiple deficiencies; in these boys the signs of puberty were induced by hormone treatment. Boys with true isolated deficiency grew about two-thirds as much in height in the off-hGH periods as in the on-hGH periods; their total gain in height during the adolescent spurt would have been about 20 cm, instead of 30 cm, if hGH had been discontinued at the beginning of puberty. The effect of hGH was entirely on growth in leg-length, however, which virtually ceased during the off-hGH periods. Growth in sitting height altered little when hGH was withdrawn. Growth in limb muscles, however, was GH dependent throughout puberty; during the majority of periods when hGH was withheld, muscle was actually lost; this occurred in the boys who were receiving large doses of testosterone as well as in those producing their own normal amounts. Subcutaneous fat diminished when hGH was given and increased when it was withdrawn; this occurred independently of administration of testosterone. There was little evidence that growth of pubic and axillary hair progressed faster during on-hGH periods, except perhaps in patients with multiple deficiencies. There was some evidence, however, that bone age progressed less rapidly during on-hGH periods than during off-hGH periods in the patients with isolated deficiency. The results in the girls agreed with those in boys so far as stature was concerned, but the relationship with sitting height and leg length appeared to be different; the reasons for this are discussed. We conclude that all children with GH deficiency should continue on treatment with hGH throughout puberty, ideally until growth ceases.     

A general architecture in support of interactive, multimedia, location-based mobile applications

The widespread use of cellular telephones and the availability of user-location information are facilitating the development of new personalized, location-based applications. However, as of today, most of these applications are unidirectional and text-based where the user subscribes and the system sends a text message when appropriate. This article describes a modular and general architecture that supports the development of interactive, multimedia, location-based applications, providing an extra level of service to the users. The flexibility of the architecture is demonstrated by presenting the wireless safety security system (Wi-Via) and other potential applications     

High-power high-Modulation-speed 1060-nm DBR lasers for Green-light emission

We report on the static and dynamic performance of high-power and high-modulation-speed 1060-nm distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) lasers for green-light emission by second-harmonic generation. Single-wavelength power of 387 mW at 1060-nm wavelength and green power as high as 99.5 mW were achieved. A thermally induced wavelength tuning of 2.4 nm and a carrier-induced wavelength tuning of -0.85 nm were obtained by injecting current into the DBR section. Measured rise-fall times of 0.2 ns for direct intensity modulation and 0.6 ns for wavelength modulation make the lasers suitable for >50-MHz green-light modulation applications.     

Heat transfer coefficient measurements for mixed gas working fluids at cryogenic temperatures

The use of mixed gas working fluids has become common in Joule-Thomson type cryocoolers for a variety of applications. However, there is very little data or theory currently available regarding the heat transfer coefficient associated with these multi-component, multi-phase mixtures at cryogenic temperatures. This paper describes an experimental test facility and procedure that has been used to make careful measurements of the horizontal, flow boiling heat transfer coefficient for several hydrocarbon mixtures that are nominally optimal for small, Joule-Thomson cryocoolers in the 80 K to 120 K operating range. Data are presented over a range of temperatures from 100 K to room temperature and for several pressures and mass flow rates. The results indicate that quality and mass flux are the most important parameters governing the heat transfer coefficient among those that were varied. The experiment is verified by carrying out tests using single-phase, pure nitrogen gas and comparing the results with the Dittus-Boelter equation. The experimental uncertainty of the measurements is estimated from 1st principles; additionally, the repeatability of the experimental measurements was investigated by replicating tests at a nominal set of operating conditions and composition on separate days. The measurements presented here are intended to aid in the design of small, mixed-gas Joule-Thomson cryocoolers.     

新建联合循环发电锅炉的化学清洗

联合循环机组日益广泛应用于发电厂。与传统的燃煤机组相比 ,联合发电厂的设备及安装成本、发电效率高 ,而且对环境影响小。余热锅炉 ( HRSG)是联合循环机组的一个组成部分。虽然 HRSG的热负荷比传统锅炉低 [1] ,但锅炉水化学却很重要。因此 ,新建 HRSG的化学清洗一直受到关注。传统的新建锅炉中存在油脂 ,氧化皮及焊渣等 ,其化学清洗是为了除去这类杂质以保障机组的正常启动及运行。HRSG系统中存在类似的杂质 ,但 HRSG由两到三个压力不同的蒸汽发生回路所组成 (见图 1 ) ,化学清洗较为复杂。这种锅炉结构一般需要多步或扩大性化学…     

Carrier correlation effects in a quantum-well semiconductor lasermedium

This paper describes the results of a microscopic treatment of carrier-carrier scattering effects in the optical gain and refractive index spectra of a quantum-well semiconductor laser structure. The approach uses the Semiconductor Maxwell Bloch equations to describe the interaction between the carriers and the laser field, in the presence of many-body Coulomb interactions. Coulomb correlation effects are treated at the level of quantum kinetic theory in the Markovian limit. This approach shows the presence of nondiagonal Coulomb correlation contributions, in addition to the familiar diagonal contributions giving rise to polarization dephasing     

Psychological and Social Predictors of Changes in Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Over 12 Months Following Behavioral and Nutrition Education Counseling.

This study assessed psychological and social factors predicting 12-month changes in fruit and vegetable consumption achieved by 271 men and women from a low-income population randomized to brief behavioral and nutrition education counseling. Greater increases in fruit and vegetable intake were achieved in the behavioral than in the nutrition education condition (1.49 vs. 0.87 portions per day, p=.021). Increases were predicted by baseline social support for dietary change but not by baseline psychological measures. However, short-term (8-week) changes in dietary self-efficacy, encouragement, anticipated regret, perceived benefits, and knowledge of recommended intake predicted 12-month changes in fruit and vegetable consumption independently of gender, age, ethnicity, income, and baseline intake. These factors accounted for 51% of the superiority of behavioral counseling over nutrition education. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The use of Neural Networks for the estimation of oceanic constituents based on the MERIS instrument

Artificial Neural Networks (NNs) are used in estimations of oceanic constituents from simulated data for the Mechron Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) instrument system for Case II water applications. The simulation includes the effects of oceanic substances such as algal related chlorophyll, non-chlorophyllous suspended matter and DOM (dissolved organic matter). It is shown here that NNs can be used to estimate oceanic constituents based on simulated data which include the effects of realistic noise and variability models. The advantage of NNs is that they not only achieve higher retrieval accuracy than more traditional techniques such as band ratio algorithms, but they also allow the inclusion of usually superfluous or unused information, such as geometric parameters and atmospheric visibility.